diseases=gone

• What are pathogens?

  Microbes that cause diseases
• What do vaccines introduce into the body?

  A dead or altered form of the disease-causing pathogen
• What is the role of antigens in vaccines?

  They trigger the immune system to produce antibodies
• What are white blood cells responsible for?

  Producing complementary antibodies
• What is phagocytosis?

  When a white blood cell engulfs and digests a pathogen
• What is herd immunity?

  Protection against illness in a population due to high vaccination rates
• What happens if the majority of the population is not vaccinated?

  It can lead to a mass infection
• What are the three scenarios related to herd immunity?

  1. Majority unvaccinated, few contagious: risk of mass infection.
  2. Most unvaccinated but some healthy: risk of mass infection, some remain healthy.
  3. Majority vaccinated: most protected, few may still get ill.
• What happens if vaccination rates drop in a population?

  It increases the risk of mass infection
• What are painkillers?

  Chemicals that relieve symptoms but do not kill pathogens
• Give two examples of painkillers.

  Paracetamol and aspirin
• What are antibiotics?

  Substances that slow down or stop the growth of bacteria
• What is penicillin?

  The first antibiotic discovered in 1928 by Alexander Fleming
• How do antibiotics work?

  They damage bacterial cells without harming host cells
• Why can't antibiotics cure viral diseases?

  Because viruses reproduce inside host cells
• What is antibiotic resistance?

  When bacteria become less susceptible to antibiotics
• What are superbugs?

  Bacteria that have become resistant to multiple antibiotics
• What are some reasons for the reduced effectiveness of antibiotics?

  Overuse, not completing prescribed courses, and agricultural use
• Why is it important to complete the full course of antibiotics?

  To ensure all bacteria are killed and prevent resistance
• How can agricultural use of antibiotics contribute to resistance?

  It can spread resistance from animals to humans
• What are ways to reduce antibiotic resistance?

  • Only take antibiotics when necessary
  • Use specific antibiotics for specific bacteria
  • Maintain high hospital hygiene levels
  • Isolate patients with resistant strains
• What is the concern regarding the future of antibiotics?

  Some bacteria may become resistant to all known antibiotics
• How quickly can bacteria replicate?

  Approximately every 20 minutes by binary fission
• What are the methods to culture bacteria?

  • Nutrient broth solution
  • Colonies on an agar plate
• What is the purpose of nutrient broth solution?

  To provide all the nutrients needed for bacteria to grow
• How are agar plates created?

  By pouring hot molten agar into sterile Petri dishes
• Why is it important to have uncontaminated cultures?

  To prevent competition for nutrients and ensure accurate results
• What is the required practical activity for testing antibiotics?

  • Investigate the effect of antiseptics or antibiotics on bacterial growth using agar plates
  • Measure zones of inhibition
• What is aseptic technique?

  • A method to grow selected bacteria under laboratory conditions
  • Prevents contamination and ensures accurate results
• Why must glass Petri dishes and agar gel be sterilised?

  To kill any bacteria present before use
• What is the purpose of sterilising the inoculating loop?

  To kill any bacteria present on the loop
• Why should the lid of the agar plate be secured but not fully sealed?

  To prevent contamination while allowing oxygen to reach the bacteria
• What is the maximum incubation temperature for agar plates in schools?

  25°C
• What is the purpose of measuring the clear area around soaked filter paper disks?

  To indicate the effectiveness of the antimicrobial solution
• What is thalidomide?

  A medical drug that caused serious birth defects in the 1950s and 1960s
• What were the consequences of thalidomide's use?

  It led to the development of serious birth defects in many babies
• How is thalidomide used today?

  As a treatment for leprosy and bone cancer under strict regulation
• What are the three stages of drug testing?

  1. Testing using computer models and human stem cells
  2. Animal testing for side effects
  3. Human clinical trials for safety and efficacy
• Why is drug safety important?

  Some drugs can be toxic and have harmful side effects
• What does efficacy refer to in drug testing?

  How well the drug cures the disease or improves symptoms